THE - Theology Course Descriptions
Introduces the student to the teaching of the Catholic Church as it is rooted in Scripture and Tradition and faithfully proclaimed by the Church's magisterium (teaching office). Besides an introduction to Catholic doctrine, the course will also include some discussion of Church history, prayer and liturgy, the moral life, and Catholic life and theology. This course is required for all upper division (200 and above) theology courses except THE 341 Christian Marriage.
Is especially designed for non-majors as a general overview of both the Old and New Testaments. Students will gain an acquaintance with the major block of biblical material, the key issues in biblical study today, major biblical themes, and an appreciation for the place of the Scriptures in the life of the Church and of the individual Christian. This course does not qualify as an upper division theology elective for the Theology Major.
This course studies God's self-revelation throughout salvation history as it has been received and handed on by the believing community in the forms of sacred Scripture and sacred Tradition. Based on the Catholic doctrine of revelation and its reception as expressed in Dei Verbum, the course examines the central teachings of the Catholic Faith [such as creation, fall, and redemption, Trinity and incarnation, the Church and the Holy Spirit] as these have been expressed in the Scriptures and developed throughout the history of the Church's tradition. Emphasis is placed on reading primary sources, including major Biblical texts, writings of Church Doctors and Fathers, major theologians, magisterial documents and writings from the Franciscan tradition. This course is required for all upper division (200 and above) theology courses except THE 341 Christian Marriage.
Elucidates the principles of morality that regulate Christian living. These principles are studied as they are found rooted in the New Testament documents and articulated throughout the history of the Christian community's lived existence, with a thorough look at the contemporary understanding of Christian moral theology as it is articulated by the magisterium of the Catholic Church and by theologians in union with the magisterium. Students will examine these principles as they apply to some perennial moral issues.
Poetry is the second semester of the two-semester sequences in Intermediate Biblical Hebrew. This course focuses largely on the Psalms and a few instances of embedded poems in the biblical Hebrew narrative. The particular challenges of translating Hebrew poetry will be addressed. Vocabulary will be developed to include all words occurring 10 or more times in the Old Testament/Hebrew bible. An exegetical paper will be required. This course fulfills an upper-level elective requirement for the Theology Major.
Notes
Can be taken as last course in foreign language requirement sequence (HEB 206) or as a theology elective (THE 206). This course cannot satisfy both requirements.
Is an introduction to the literature of the Old Testament: the Tetrateuch, the Deuteronomic corpus, the prophetic literature, the priestly writings, the wisdom literature, and the Deuterocanonical books. Students will be directed to read selections from the above categories. The theological-historical meaning of the Old Testament will be stressed.
Is an introduction to the literature of the New Testament: the Synoptic Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Johannine literature, the Pauline literature, the Letter to the Hebrews, and the "catholic epistles." The theological-historical meaning of the New Testament will be stressed.
Investigates the fundamental Christian mystery of the Trinity, that there is one God in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It considers both the immanent and economic missions of the three persons as they are revealed in the Incarnation, Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Son and ministry and activity of the Holy Spirit, to save us from sin and raise us to heavenly glory. Relying primarily on the New Testament documents, the early creedal formulae, and the declarations of the Church Councils of the fourth, fifth and sixth centuries AD, this course will explore how the Church developed its core understanding of these doctrines during the patristic period, as well as how key members of the theological tradition have deepened our contemplation of them from that time to the present.
Examines the nature, history, and problems of the Christian community as understood in the Catholic tradition. Students undertake the task of investigating the biblical foundation of the Church, various branches of the Church, Christian authority, principles underlying church worship practices, church-state relationship, ecumenism, and other ecclesiological topics.
is an account of the Franciscan movement from the birth of St. Francis until modern times. The course traces the internal development of the three orders of St. Francis and the ways in which they influenced and were influenced by society. The course enables students to see the Spirit of God at work in the manifold development of Franciscan communities through the ages, and there will be a special emphasis on the contribution of the Third Order Regular. Cross-listed with HST 300; Prerequisites: THE 101, 110
introduces the life of St. Francis through select writings of his Medieval biographers and examines his life within the social, political, and religious context of his time. The course explores his unique vision of life and the development of the Franciscan movement and the spirituality of the first, second and third order traditions up to the death of St. Bonaventure. Special consideration will be given to the Rule of the Third Order, the charism that inspired it, and the spirituality that it fosters. Cross-listed with HST 301. Prerequisites: THE 101 and 110
Studies the emergence of Christianity as a movement within Palestinian Judaism, its gradual growth amidst persecution in the Roman Empire, its conquest of the Roman world under Constantine and the Christian emperors, and its extension into Europe and beyond up to AD 600. Important themes to be discussed include the concepts of Christianity as a movement and its evolving relationship to the state; the development of Catholic doctrine through conflicts, creeds, and councils; the formation of the canon of Scripture; and Christian worship and the beginnings of sacramental practice. Students will also encounter through written texts the great figures who formed (or opposed) the early Christian Church.
Examines Church teaching on the Blessed Virgin Mary in regard to her role as Mother of the God-man, Jesus Christ; Mother of his Body, the Church; and Spiritual Mother to every person seeking the path to Jesus Christ. The course will include a theological investigation into: (a) defined Marian doctrine, (b) contemporary Marian documents by the magisterium, (c) examples of contemporary Mariological contributions, (d) principal forms of Marian piety, and (e) the Marian message to the modern world through the domain of private revelation.
Seeks to explore the meaning of healing by integrating a variety of frameworks and perspectives. Wisdom traditions within Scripture and an existential phenomenological philosophy of the human person will provide a broad backdrop against which we will examine biopsychosocial aspects of human being and healing. Topics may include: the dynamics of personality; person and community; healing and relationships; healing and growth; healing of memories, mind and heart; healing and families; healing and spirituality, including prayer for healing; and healing groups, communities, and nations.
Is a study of the influence of the Franciscans in the Americas from the arrival of the first friar in 1493 until the present. The course will examine the missionary efforts of the Spanish Franciscans in New Spain and Florida, of the French Recollect Franciscans and Capuchins in Quebec and New France, and of the early Franciscans in English-speaking America. It will also discuss the establishment of new Franciscan provinces in America with the explosion of Catholic immigration in the 19th century, and the founding of parishes, schools, colleges, seminaries, universities, and hospitals. The changes in religious life and activities since the Second Vatican Council will be explored.
(lay and religious) relates a treatment of the Franciscan Third Order's central charism-the penitential life-to the broader penitential movement in the Church. The course includes contemporary developments and applications, such as the Third Order Rules.
Introduces students to the basic elements of man's religious experience as found in the major non-Christian communities of the world. Students will investigate the founders, scriptures, history, principles, and particular religious experiences of Eastern and Western religions. Finally, non-Christian religions will be examined in relationship to the Christian religion.
Will focus on the thought of Bonaventure, Scotus, Ockham, or other authors of the Franciscan School.
Presents a general theological consideration of the structure of the sacramental life of the Church and an historic-dogmatic analysis of the major theologies of the individual sacraments. Particular emphasis will be given to baptism and Eucharist. The course will include the Christian response to the sacramental life in filial, salvific social, communal, and ecclesial dimensions.
examines important themes and fundamental concepts in the broad-ranging thoughts of Bl. John Duns Scotus. This course includes significant study of primary texts as well as readings in ongoing scholarship concerning the Subtle Doctor in both theology and philosophy. The course will focus on Scotus' distinctive metaphysical and logical contributions (such as the disjunctive transcendentals, the univocity of the concept of being, and the formal distinction) as well as his distinctive understanding of natural theology, natural law, and philosophical anthropology. Cross-listed with THE 315. Prerequisites: THE 101 and 110.
will focus on certain historical, philosophical, or theological aspects of the Franciscan tradition determined by the professor. Depending on the topic, this course may be cross-listed with HST 316. Prerequisites: THE 101 and 110
Depending on the topic, this course may be cross-listed with
HST 316.
Is a broad study of general Church teaching on social questions with strong emphasis on the papal encyclicals and other Church documents. Major issues explored are poverty and the distribution of wealth, prejudice and racism, war and peace, criminal justice, the Gospel and the State, and international community and business ethics.
Is a seminar in contemporary psychology and Christian Humanism emphasizing the intimate and dynamic correlation of nature and grace. An interdisciplinary approach is designed to critically examine contemporary issues and areas of concern. Psychological perspectives on being human such as development, personality, motivation, value, psychopathology, addiction, and therapeutic interventions will be brought into dialogue with theological perspectives on human being such as finitude, human nature, conversion, holiness, growth, vocation, and spirituality. The primary focus will be on developing skills for practical understanding and application.
Completion of two courses in psychology and two courses in theology.
THE 101 and
THE 110
Will focus, first, on the principal biblical texts upon which dogmatic and doctrinal Mariology is based, with a combination of patristic and medieval exegesis along with the best of contemporary exegetical approaches. An overview of the principal Marian fathers, doctors, and ecclesial writers will be offered as well as a deeper penetration into the thought of modern and contemporary contributors, in particular St. Louis Marie de Montfort, St. John Eudes and St. Maximilian Kolbe. A specific treatment of the controversial history of the Immaculate Conception as well as the doctrinal development of Marian Coredemption will be highlighted in this section. An extended treatment of the unprecedented Franciscan heritage in Mariology will be accentuated, with special emphasis on the Mariology of St. Francis, St. Bonaventure and Bl. John Duns Scotus, leading up to its contemporary manifestation in the pneumatology of St. Maximilian. An extended study of the rich Mariology of the Second Vatican Council will also be highlighted, with particular emphasis on the conciliar call for a more greatly developed concept of maternal mediation, as well as the implementation of the Council's call as manifest in the Mariology of John Paul II.
introduces students to the intellectual patrimony of the followers of St. Francis. The course will give special attention to St. Bonaventure and Bl. John Duns Scotus, but may also consider other great Franciscan masters, such as Anthony of Padua, Peter Olivi, William of Ockham, and Lawrence of Brindisi. The course will also give attention to uniquely Franciscan themes, such as the primacy of charity in the Christian life, the absolute predestination of Jesus and Mary, the Christocentric pattern of creation, the role of the Immaculate Conception in the economy of redemption, and the nature of God's action in the Sacraments. Students will see how the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition represents a rich and dynamic guide to deeper understanding of humanity's place in the world and its relationship with God. Cross-listed with HST 326. Prerequisites: THE 101 and THE 110
This course will look at those women who were influential in the founding and growth of the Franciscan tradition. The students will look at women involved in the direct founding of congregations of women who follow both the Rule of St. Clare as well as those women who founded and continue to found active Third Order Regular congregations whose mission and apostolates were fundamental in Catholic health care and education in the 19th and 20th Centuries. In addition, the course will look at women involved in the intellectual development of Franciscan life and thought. Cross-listed with HST 328.
Provides a treatment of Bonaventure's distinct philosophical and theological approach to questions on knowledge about God, creation, the Trinity, the Incarnation and Redemption, and Christian spirituality as uniquely centered in Christ crucified.
Is an historical-theological study of God's unfolding revelation of his inner life and nature through the Old Testament, New Testament, the early Church councils, and in the thought of key theologians and Church teaching up to the present day. The implications of this revelation for life and prayer of the Christian community will also be explored.
Examines the dimensions of a Christian marriage from a biblical, historical, doctrinal-liturgical, and pastoral viewpoint. Students will be directed to investigate the best available books on the areas listed above, with special emphases upon a Catholic understanding of human sexuality, the major problems involved in premarital and marital love-relationships, and the doctrinal-liturgical expressions of this same relationship. The content and the direction of this course will be dictated by the Catholic, sacramental understanding of marriage.
Addresses selected contemporary questions that demand a mature response from the informed Christian. This course emphasizes guided thought into specific dogmatic, moral, and spiritual issues.
Is a study of the Christian vision of the human person as made in the image of God. It considers not only what natural reason tells us about humanity, its capacity, and its desire for God, but also what Scripture and Tradition reveal about the creation of man and woman, original sin, free will, and grace. It examines these topics in view of humanity's sacramental incorporation into the Church, and in view of the truth that earthly pilgrimage constitutes the seed of humanity's perfection in the beatific vision of heaven.
Examines key theological concepts of the Gospel way of life according to the writings of both St. Francis and St. Clare. Contemporary implications of Franciscan values are studied in light of the Church's mission.
THE 356
Will integrate reflective theological study of St. Francis and St. Clare and mission experience of service with the poor in the local area. The directed field experience of 30 hours is complemented by 10 classroom hours of reflection and interpretation of this experience. (This course may be offered in certain semesters for 1 or 2 credit hours with adjustments in hours of field experience and reflection e.g., 20 hours of field experience and 8 hours of classroom contact for 2 credits; 10 hours of field experience and 5 hours of classroom contact for 1 credit.)
THE 355
Through a careful study of “the theology of the body” developed by Pope St. John Paul II in Man and Woman He Created Them, this course exams the deep connections between Christian anthropology, sexual ethics, and sacramental spirituality and the significance of embodiment within the Catholic tradition. While addressing specific questions regarding sexuality, love, and marriage and continence for the Kingdom, this course also provides an understanding of how the theology of the body presents a vision of the dignity and vocation of the human person through the lens of salvation history and its culmination in the mystery of redemption in Jesus Christ.
Is available to senior theology majors with a 3.0 QPA. Students may propose to the department chair an internship for 1 to 6 credits, depending on the type of internship and time spent. Arrangements for the internship must be made by the student and approved in advance by the Career Services Office and by the Theology Department chair. The internship must entail an application of theology in a pastoral project or setting. A sponsoring organization and on-going direct supervision of the student's work through- out the internship are required. Internships count as general electives.
Theology senior standing. Internships must be preapproved.
Presents an overview of the history of Christianity in modern times beginning with the Protestant Reformers and proceeding to the present day. It will primarily focus upon the doctrines and belief systems of the Protestant, Catholic, and Eastern Christian churches as they emerged and developed during this period. The contributions of modern Christianity's great saints, thinkers, and leaders will be highlighted. Attention will also be given to the relationship of these churches to each other (from polemics to ecumenism), to the broader society, and to movements of spiritual renewal and spirituality within modern Christianity.
Is an introduction to the study of women in early and medieval Christianity through a reading of primary source materials. Issues examined include women's religious choices, dominant view of the nature and roles of women, women's claims to religious authority, ideals of holiness, and women's spirituality and ascetic practices.
Is designed to open the student to the themes of holiness in Scripture and to point out the different Fathers of the Church and other spiritual masters and the uniqueness in their spirituality. The course will also investigate some modern authors in the spiritual life and provide the principles of growth in holiness, their applications to historical and cultural situations, and their implications concerning life in the modern world.
Focuses on a particular person or group of per- sons who have significantly contributed to our Catholic heritage. The topic chosen for a semester's study may be a particular person such as St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, or Cardinal Newman or it may be a group of thinkers such as third century apologists. This course may be taken more than once if topics are different.
Provides in-depth coverage to a specific Old Testament topic. The topic chosen for a particular semester's study may be a specialized theme such as Old Testament eschatology, a particular corpus of Old Testament writings such as the Pentateuch, or a specific book such as Jeremiah. This course may be taken more than once if topics are different.
Provides in-depth coverage to a specific New Testament topic. The topic chosen for a particular semester's study may be a specialized theme such as the Resurrection, a particular corpus of New Testament writings such as the Letters of Paul, or a specific book such as the Gospel according to John. This course may be taken more than once if topics are different.
Is an in-depth treatment of the historical and theological aspects of Christian worship: the concept of worship; the nature of liturgy; theocentric, Christocentric, and ecclesial dimensions of the liturgy; and consideration of various liturgical reforms in light of the theological and historical evaluation of the liturgy.
Provides an examination of the rich Catholic theological and philosophical tradition of the reality, nature, purpose, hierarchical structure, and mission of the angels. Philosophical and biblical foundations of angelology will be examined, along with patristic, medieval, modern, and contemporary commentaries and development in the study of the angels. Papal and magisterial teachings concerning angelology will likewise be examined.
This course investigates, in light of natural law and revelation, two closely related areas of morality, sexual and medical, that are united in a concern for a proper conduct in and towards the human body. It presents as foundational a fundamentally positive presentation of the moral life, the human body, and human sexuality as beautiful gifts from God, “as an outpouring of God’s eternal wisdom, which we have received in Christ, and as a service to man, to the growth of his freedom and to the attainment of his happiness” (Veritatis Splendor 95). From this foundation, a range of topics will be examined such as contraception, fornication, homosexuality, transgenderism, abortion, euthanasia, reproductive technologies, and organ transplantation. An emphasis will be placed on gaining a thorough understanding of the principles that underlie a sound analysis of these moral issues.
The student's major advisor will suggest to the student either The 434 or The 435 in view of his or her career objectives. Those students choosing a thesis will write a 20 to 25 page research paper on a topic in theology, or a 35-40 page combined thesis for theology and a second major. Each thesis student will find a director in the Theology Department to direct and grade the thesis (or the theological aspects of the combined thesis).
Notes
All theology majors are required to take either THE 434 (Thesis) or THE 435 (Seminar) in their senior year.
The student's major advisor will suggest to the student to either The 434 or The 435 in view of his or her program and career objectives. It will be the task of the members of the seminar to explore topics or discuss readings chosen by the faculty member directing the seminar. Normally, the seniors in the seminar will take turns leading the seminar discussion and will be graded on their leadership and their participation.
Notes
All theology majors are required to take either THE 434 (Thesis) or THE 435 (Seminar) in their senior year.